Electrically-controlled door-operating mechanism for street or railway cars.



H. ROWN TREE. ELECTRIUALLY GONTBOLLED DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM FOR STREET 0B RAILWAY CARS.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 20, 1906. 920, 183.

Patented May 4, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

w/r/v ssss INVENTOR V2 WW a BY 5 A TTORNE Y0 H. ROWN TREE. ELECTRIGALLY CONTROLLED DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM FOR STREET 0R RAILWAY (JARS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 20, 1906.

Patented May 4,1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

A 'I'TORNEYS UNITED srmrns PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD ROWNTREE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASBIGNOR TO BURDETT-ROWNTREE MANU- FACTURING-COMPANY, Oi GHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELEOTRIOALLY-CONTEOLLED DOOR-OPERATING MECHANISM FOR STREET QR RAILWAY CARS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patentedldny 4, 19.09.

Application filed September 20, 1906. Serial No. 335,376.

To all whom it may concem: Be. it known that I, HAROLD Rownrnnn, a. i citizen of the United States, residing in.Cl1ii cago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have 5 mode acertain new and useful Invention in Electrically -Controlled Door Operating i Mechanism for Street or Railway Cars, of i which the following is a specification. The invention relates to electrically controlled door operating mechanism for street or railway cars. F

The object of the invention is to provide an electric-all controlled door operating 5 mechanism, or street and railway cars, 1 which is simple in construction,- and eliicient in operation, and wherein the control 01' the door operating mechanism is so arranged as to efiiclently guard against accident through an untimely opening of the doors. 5 A further 0' feet is to provide means for controlling the operation of all the doors from 5 =1 singlepoint. A further object is to provide means for i indicating when all the doors on the car, or 26 trainof cais arc closed, so that the car or 5 train nmy not be started until such indication is received. A further object is to provide means 1 where'b all the doors of nicer or train may he 5 3 contro ed from the samefpoint while at the i some time individual doors arexcepahleiofbe 5 ing independently controlled for emergency use.

A l'urtherohject is to provide means 'for preventing the cor or train motor from being put into operation until all the doors of t'he car-0r train are closed- Other objects 01' the invention will appear more fully hereinafter. Theinvention consists substmitia'lly in-the construction,combination, location, and 1-61-- utive arrangement of ,arts, all as will-"be more lullylwreiniifter-set i orth, osshown'in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed outinthe eppendedicloims. g v v Referring to the accompanying and to them-lots views and relorencels" nppecringthereonz-Figure'lisefhrkilgeri wew 1n elevation of cooperating mechm iism'iiori a smeetor. p ilwey car door, vthe. doofb 'gn'g sh prosp r-rmassaged-e11;

position. Fig. 3 is a diagram showin the electrical connections of the control an sigml or indicating mechanism.

The same part is designated by the same reference sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views.

A, designates a door mounted to slide into open or c osed position, andito this end, said door may be suspended by hangers B "from a track C, in the usuahor any suita ble or convenient manner. Pivotally mounted at one end to a fixed part of the car, is a swingarm D, the other end of said arm-having sliding connection with the door. Any suitable or convenient power mechanism .ma

be employed to o. crate the swinging arm" In the particular orm shown, to which,however, my invention is not to be limited or restricted, I employ a compressed air motor in the form of a cylinder -E, suitably supported in convenient position upon the well of the car, a. valve 0 rating in a valvecasing serving to contro the s p] and exhaust of air to and from each c1330? the cylinder. Within the cylinder operates a. pistonG to the rod H, of which is connected :1 head J, which is connected to the s W g arm EH13 e-connecting rod K, sol-hat w n the power mechanism is operated in one direction the door is OSltlVBlY moved to opened position, and w enism is operated in the oplposlte direction the door is positively move to closed-pose tiou. The valve ports through whichqflle,

en the power mechaower medium is admitted to or enheus'ted f om the cylinder are 'made of small area sov that the speedof o oration of the door will be comparatively s ow,

The operation of the power motor mey controlled in manyspecifically different wa s. Ihsve shown a sun 'eia-nd eflieient' control, im the exampleo "myilnvejntion illustrated the .ilr'fewings, v where n 'th of which is connected th t0 i i ll: 121i.

nietlitini to l curable-solenoids M, in such n an M wwel w w .hs toe the n a. .dmfltlon.

V rangement of operating mech V is geese? the number of doors-nor the location proof-on a can. It isalsotobe understood ,tliatiwhere strain ofcars is. our

- the door-operating mechanism and signal der, and to 0 en the rear end of the cylinder i to exhaust, t ereby operating the swinging I arm D, in a direction to move or shift the door to opened position. The valve may be moved in the opposite direction to rea verse the action of t e motor in any suitable or convenient manner as, for instance, b gravity, 8 ring or \veig it, as ndicated tl i i\, which, w en the solenoid is denergized, 5 shifts the valve in the opposite direction thereby admitting the operating medium to the rear end of the cylinder, and hence efiecting a positive movement of the door to closed osition.

P, designates a movable car step having connection through a crank arm R, an link S, to one arm of a bell crank lever T, to the other arm of which is connected a rod V, having a longitudinally extending slot i-i', in which works a pin or stud U, carried by the cross head J. Also connected to move with the cross head or other convenient movable art of the motor or its connections is an ins ated contact 0 adapted, when the door is moved to closed position, to enter a switch box I, and to close an clcct-ric-circuit to be presently referred to.

I do not claim herein the contsructioii and arrangement of car step and operating mechanism therefor associated as shown and described, with the door 0 crating devices.

By the provision of the slbt W in the step operating rod V, with the cross head in U,

orilerating therein, it will be observe that w en the door is in closed osltion, see Fig. 2,

the step is ositivel he d in its retracted position, an when t door commences its opening movement the step is instantly released and as the door continues its opening movement, the step is free to move by gravity or otherwise into position for use, and attains its operating or usable position before the door completes its opening movement, and that when the door is in its completely open osition, as shown in Fig. 1, the step is loc 'ed in its position for use.

' The 0 ration of the construction so fardescribe will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accom anying drawings.

I have descri the construction and aranisrn of, and equipment for, onlv one door and it is to be understood that all of the doors of a car, are to .be similar constructed and equipped.

In Fig. 3 I liave shown a diagram of, electrical connections of one car rovided with four doors, two at each end, or controllidng e- It s to be understood, however, that my nvention is not to be limited with-reloyed. et

ciir'of the train .istohave a shin ar arrangemerit of wiring connections with suitable conductor couplings between adjacent cars in the train.

Reference sign a, designates a control switch for the door operating and signal mechanisms. This switch when moved into one position effects a closure of circuit between the contacts 5, 6, and when moved into another position efi'ects a closure of cirj cuit between contacts 7, S. and when moved into a third position effects a closure of circuit between contacts 9, l0, and when moved into a fourth posit-ion closes circuit between a contact 50, and cooperating contacts 51, 52, and when moved into a. fifth position opens all of the circuits controlled by said contacts. This switch a, is to be located in convenient position to be under the control of the mo torman, b whom the car motor is also controlled. iis, where one car is em loved, a switch a, is located at each end of the car, and in case of a train, then in the cab or other compartment or space occupied by the train motorman, or, in a train of cars of the multiple unit system, then on both the front and rear ends of each car of the train. Also located at the point from which the car or train motor is controlled whether for a single car, or a train of cars, as above ex lained, is the motor-man's controller, the andle of which is indicated at b, and which, when in ofi position is designed to close circuit between contacts ll, 12, and to be locked in such position by a lock or latch 0, controlled by a solenoid f. Also located at each motor control station is a suitable si nal device g, such, for instance as ale-mp. adjacent each door is a switch it, by which circuit may be closed between contacts 13, 14, or between contacts 15, 16. The solenoid M, through its control of the door operating motor of each door, also controls the contact 0, which 0 us or closes circuit between contacts 17, 18 in the switch box I, and which I will call a signal switch. At each end of each car is also arranged a switch 7:, adapted to close a circuit to earth at m.

From the foregoing description, therefore, it will be seen that on each car there will be associated with each door the operating mechanism therefor and its war mechanism, the solenoid for contro the power mechanism a switch for contro the cir cuit of such solenoid, and a signa switch. There will also be at each end of each car, whether operated singly or in a train of the multiple unit tem, or, in case 0 other kinds of trains in the motormori's cab at the front end oi the train a motormans motor control switch a motormans door control switch, e si al device, and a ground control switch. Q

A main sup 1y conductor 20, extends throughout the ength of the car, and if.desired of the train, and receives current scores an suitable or convenient source. Similar conductors 21, and 22, extend the full length of the car, or of the train, and are supplied with current from the mam supply conductor as will be explainml- One member of each air of contacts 5, 6, 7, 8; and 9, 1 0, and 0 contact 50-, is connected to the mam conductor 20. Inthe form shown each of thecontacts; 5, 7 9 and 50, are thus connccted. Instead of this connection being direct it is effected by conductor 23, to con taet l1, thence only when the motor controller handle b, is in 05" osition, to. con:- tact 12, thence throu con ctor 24:, to the contacts 5, 7 9 an 50, as above stated. Thus it will be seen that circuit from the main supply conductor 20 can beclosed to the contacts 5., Z, 9 and 50, only when the car motor controller is in- 03" position, that is when the car motor circuits are broken- When the car motor controller is in oil position, it is locked in such position by a latch c, as above explained, which is controlled bv a solenoid f, the circuit of which includes a conductor 25, from con.- tact S, the circuit continuing from solenoid f, through conductor 26, which extends throughout the car, or throughout the train of cars, and to at m, and in which. are included the signal devices g, all the signal switch contacts 1-7,.18 of the car or. train and the ground control switches 1:. Therefore, in. order to complete this circuit to release the latch c, it is necessary to close the circuit between contacts 7 and 8, and also-between all the contacts 17', 18, that is, all the-doors must be closed, since the closing of circuit between contacts 17 and 18, is e ected only by closing the doors. It is also necessary, in order to complete-the circuit of solenoid f, to closea ground switch k.

in ractice a switch is is located at each end 0 eachcar but all these switches are left open except the one at the rear end "I the car or train, which is closed. Each switch 14., controls the circuit connection of a door mechanism controlling solenoid M, either from the main supply conductor 20, through connection 27 to contact 16, thence, when the switch h,.1s thrown in the proper direction, to contact 15, and connection 28, through solenoid M, to ground atp, or else from conductor 21, or 22, through connection 29, to contact 14, themes, when the switch 72-, is thrown in the other hlIGOtiOD, to contact 13, connection 28, solenoid M to ground.

When any switch It is in osition. to break all circuits controlled there y the door with which such. switch is associated is den. that is, it is no longer under the influence at the control system and remains ositively closed. This is sometimes desire le when the front or rear doors at a car, or the: doors. atthe trout endi and-thereon end ofa train of cars are to be left closed while all the other doors are operable. The circuit throu h conductor 21, or 22, is controlled by t e motorman through switch a. By throwing this switch into position, to close circuit between contacts 5 ancl 6, the circuit is closed from main conductor 20, through connection 23, contact 11, contact 12, (when the car motor controller is in off position) connection 24, contact 5, contact 6, connection 30, to conductor 21, thence-through allthe solenoids M, on one side of a car or train, supplied from said conductor 21, and to ground provided the door switches h, on that side of the car or train are all in position to close circuit between contacts 13, 14. By this arrangement it will be readily seen that by placing all. the switches h, on one side of t to car or train inposition to: close circuit between their contacts 13, 14, the circuitsot all the solenoids M, supplied from conductor 21, are controlled by the motorman manipulating his door control switch a, provided the car motor controller b, is in ofl'" osition. In other words the operation 0 all the doors-on one side of the car, or 05 a train, controlled by conductor 2L, is under the' direct control of the motorman through switch a, but only when the car motor controller is in oil 'tion. At the same time am particular oor may be operated independently when the occasion therefor arrives, by a guard or attendant at the particular door to be 0 rated throwi the switch h, at that door mto position to c ose circuit between contacts 15, 16, thereby closing the circuit 06 solenoid M of that door directl from the main conductor as above explained.

The foregoing description applies to the arrangement of doors on one side of the car. 105 Ordinarily each car is provided with our doors, two at each end, one-of which is on one side of the car and the other on the other side of the car. This is the usual arrangement throughout the trains. The foregoing de- 110 scriptlon while applicable to the-doors 01110118 sideof the train is equally applicable to: the doors and their associated: e'quipment and control onthe other side of the car- This is why I employ two conductors 2L and 22. 11s The one is em loyedin the circuit connectionof the solenoi on one side of the car or train and the other isemplo ed in the circuit connection oi the solenoit on the other side of: the car or train. The switch a, wherever 120 located, that is, whether at one or both ends oliacar or at the front end of a train, or elsewhere, controls circuit conncctiom from the main supply conductor 20 to either conducfl tor-21,01 22, according towhether the switch 12-5 closes connection between contacts 51ml 6, 01:9 am! to, tlie contact 10, being electrically conneetedi-tmoondnctor 22, through connection- 3t. gi 1 It maysoiiieginges desirable-to control: L30

all the doors of the car or train simultaneously, that is, the doors on both sides of the car or train. To accomplish this result I rovidc the set of contacts 50, 51 and 52. .he contact 50, is included in circuit with conductor 24, while contacts 51, and 52, are respectively connected to contacts 6 and 10. Therefore, when switch a, is moved into position to close circuit from contact 50, t0 the contacts 51, and 52, the circuit from the main supply conductor 20, is closed throu h 23, .11, 12, (when controller b, is in o 1 position) 24, 50, where it divides one branch continuing throu h 51, 6, and 30, to 21, and thence on, as be ore described, through the solenoids .\I, on one side of the car or train, if the switches h, on that side are closed, the other branch continuing from 50, to 52, 10,

and 31, to 22, and thence on as before de 1 scribed through the solenoids M, on the other side of the car or train, if the switches on that car or train may be simultaneously controlled by the manipulation of switch a, while at the same time permitting the doors to be individually controlled through the manipulation of switches h.

I have shown and described the construction and arrangement of door operating mechanism for only one door and the wiring connections and circuits for only one car butfinall stops the motor-man operates the switc a, to close circuit between contacts 5, 6, or 9, 10 according as the doors on one side or the other of the car or train are to be opened or from 50, to 51 and 52, if all the doors are to be opened. Suppose the switch a, is moved to close circuit between contacts 5 and 6 thereupon the circuits of all the solenoids M, on one side of the train or car, are completed thereby energizing the solenolds, and operating the valves of all the door opera meters on that side of the car or tram to a 't opera medium to the motors and hence o crating the motors in a direction to cause the doors to be 10sitively moved into open position, an the steps associated therewith, if any are emplayed, to move into position for use. When the motorman receives his signal to proceed, has first act 1s to move the switch a, into poi sition to break circuit between contacts 5 side are closed. Thus all the doors of the shifted in 1'- other direction to cause said motors to move the doors positively into closedposition and to shift or move the ste s it is to be understood that all the doors are I g circuit; of the latch controlling solenoid f and of signal device g, is put in condition to be to have a construction and arr emcnt similar to that above described and t e wiring connections of all the cars of a train are the same as above described.

It is believed that the operation of a coninvention will be readily understood from the foregoing description, and, briefly, is as follows: Suppose it be desired to control the operation of all the doors of all the cars of a train from the car or train motel-man's cab. All the switches h, are moved into position to close circuit through their associated contacts 13, 14, and the ground switch 1:, at the rear end of the car or train is closed. Under these conditions all the doors of the car or train are placed under the control of the motorman, and may be opened by placing switch a, so as to close circuit from 50, to 51 and 52, or all closed by breaking circuit between said contacts. Now suppose all the doors throughout the car or train are closed and the car or train is moving in its regular operation. When a station or stopping point is approached the motor-man manipulates his motor controller 6, to shut off current from the car or train 0 rating motor, that; is, he moves controller to off position to stop the tram or car and to apply the brakes in the usual manner. In its "off" position the controller 6, is locked by spring catch or latch c, and in position to close circuit between contacts 1 1, and I2. When-the car or tram into retracted or withdrawn position. y ClOSlIlg circuit between contacts 7 and 8, the

closed as rapidly as the doors are closed, that ls, as rapidly as the contact 0, closes the oilcult between the contacts 17 and 18. When struction and control system embodying m all the doors throughout the car or train are closed, the ground switch at the rear end of the car or tram being already closed, and not before, the slgnal circuit is completed and the latch 0, released. The operation of the signal device informs the motorman that the doors are all closed and that his car or train motorcontroller b, is released. He then marupulates said controller to start up the car or train thereby breaking circuit between contacts 11 and 12, and hence breaking the circult from the mam supply conductor.

As above pointed out any particular door may be operated independently at any time by means of its switch which not only comp etes a direct circuit connection from the main sup l conductor through the solenoid control] y such switch but also, at the same time removes the operating motor of such door temporarily from the control of the motorman.

Having now set forth the object and nature of my invention and a construction arranlgement and system embodying the princip es thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination of a railroad car, a car aecnee motor controller, a door, means operative only when the controller isin "oil positionfor controllingthe movementsof the door, retaining means for the car-motorcontroller when in oil osition saidreta' meansheing controlled by the opening an closing: of the door.

3. The combinationofia railroad car, a carmotor controller, a door, means operative only when the controller'is in o position for controlling the movements of the door, retaining meansfor themotor controller when in ofl' position, said retainingmeans being operative whenthe door is open.

4. The combination of a railroad car, a car motor controller, a door, means operativeonly when the controller is in 0 i'tion for controlling the movements of til door, electrical devices for retaining said motor controller in ofl' iosition, and acircuit therefor, said circuit'lieing cont-rolledby the openin and closing of the door.

5. The combination of a railroad car, a car motor controller, a door, means for moving the door, electrical devices for controlling'the door moving means, acircuit therefor; said circuit srranied to be controlled by themotor contro er whereby when the motor controller is in oil position the door operlitlllg means are made operative to-open the nor.

6. The-combination or a-railroadcar, ace-r motor controller, adoor, pneumatic means for operating said door, a: valve for controllmg said pneumatic means, electrical devices no or the control of said-car: motor controller for-controllingtheaction of said valve; and means for locking the motor controller against movement while tliedoor is open".

7. The combination of a" railroad car, a car motor controller, adoor, amotor for operat ing said door, an auxiliary motor for control ling said door operatin motor, said'auxiliary motor bei "controlled ysaid-carmotor controller, an means for lockin the motor controller in oil position w is the door is open.

8. The combination of'arrailroadzcar, a car motor controller, a door, an o erutingmotor therefor, electrical devices or controllin said door operating motor, circuits for sai electrical devices, said circuits being controlled by said car motor controller and means for locking the motor contro er in oil osition while the door is 0 en.

9. e combinatlon of a radro car, a car motor controller, a door, an operating motor therefor, means for controlling said motor,

car propelling motor controller; a

electrical devices for controlling said motor controlling means, said'car motor controller also controlling the circuit of'sai'tl electrical devices, and means for preventing operation of the motor controller to "on" position while the door is open.

10. l he-combination of a railroad car, a propelling motor therefor, a door, a motor for opening and closing the same, means-for controlling the motor from a distant'point, means for preventing the operation. of the car pro elling' mot-or while the dbor is open, and in 'e endent means at the door-foreco- *rolling' t e door operating motor.

11-. The combination of a railroad car, a

luralit-y' or doors, a motor for o ening' an -clbsing each door, moans contro ed bv the commutor controller for controlling simultaneously the operation of all the door-operating'motors, and means for-locking thccar motor'i'n oil osition while any door is open.

12; ie combination of :1 mil road car; a plropelling motor controller, a plurali oioors, a motor for o eratin' each oor; means-for controlling a :of' said motors from a single point, means for locking said coirt-rollingmeans while any door is open, and means adjacent each door for independently controllin each door operating motor.

1-3'. The-com ination of a railroad car, a-

iillg said circuit cont-rolling 00 dependently opening and closing the circuit of each device;

14". The combination of a railroad car; a. plurality of dbo1's,'a motor for operating each door, electrical devices for controllingsaid motors, a common circuit for said" de vices, and an independent circuit for each. device, independent means forcontrolling said circuits, and means for preventing the closing ofsaidcommon circuit as long as'any door'remains c on.

15. The com ination of a railroad car a car motor controller arranged at the end of the car, a pluralit of car doors, electrical devices for control the movements of'tlie' car doors, said car motor controller-arranged? to control the circuit of said devices, and means for preventing the operation of the car motor controller to on position as long as any door remains open.

16. The combination of a railroad car, a plura ity of doors thereon, electrically controlled operating mcchanism for said doors, a circuit for the electric controlling mechanism, a signal device, a circuit therefor, contacts arranged in said signal circuit and adapted to be closed by the closing of the doors, and means for controlling the circuitof the controllin mechanism.

l7. The combmation of a railroad car, a plurality of doors thereon, electrically controlled operating mechanism for each door, acircuit for the electric controlling means, a signal lamp, a circuit therefor, contacts arranged in said signal circuit and adapted to be closed by the closing of all the doors whereby when any door is open said signal circuit is broken, and means for controllin the circuit of the controlling means for said door 0 crating mechanism. e

18. lhe combination of a railroad car, a plurality of doors thereon, o crating mechanism for each door, a signa device, a circuit therefor, each of said doors adapted to open or close said circuit, a ground switch, and a controlling switch also arranged in said circuit and means for controlling the door 0 ierating mechanism.

19. Ihe combination of a railroad car, a plurality of d ors thereon, 0 rating mechanism for each door, a signal evicc a circuittherefor, each of said doors contro said circuit, and a centre 0 switch for said circuit, said controlling swltch also controlling the door operating mechanism.

20. The combination of arailroad car, a pluralitv of doors thereon, operat' mechanism for each door, electrical devices for controlling said mechanism, a circuit for said devices, a signal, a circuit therefor, contacts arranged in the signal circuit and controlled by each door, and a single switch for control ling both circuits.

21. The combination of a railroad car, a pluralitv of doors thereon, operat' mechanism or each door, electrical devices for controlling said mechanism, a circuit for said devices, a signal, a circuit therefor, each of said doors controlling said signal circuit, a contro switch for both circuits and a switch in ependcnt of said controlling switch for controlling the circuit of the door operating mechanism controlling devices.

22. The combination of a railroad car, a pluralit of doors thereon, o rat mechanism or each door, electrical devices for controlling said operating mechanism, a circuit for said devices, a car motor controller armn%ed to complete said circuit only when in o posit-ion, means for independently closing the circuit for each door, operating mechanism and means for retaining the car motor controller in off position as long as any door is open.

23. The combination of a railroad car, a door thereon, operating mechanism therefor, an electrical device for controlling said mechanism, a circuit therefor, a car motor controller, contacts arranged in said circuit and adapted to be closed only when the cal motor controller is in off position, means for retaining the car motor controller in ofl position as long as the .door is open, and means for independently controlling the circuit of the door operating mechanism -o|1- trollin device.

24. e combination of a railroad car, a door operating mechanism therefor, an electrical device for controlling said mechanism, acircuit for said device, a signal, a circuit therefor, contacts arral cd in the signal circuit and adapted to be 0 used only when the door is closed, a car motor controller, contacts arranged in both of said circuits and adapted to be closed only when the motor controller is in "off position.

25. The combination of a railroad car, a door, 0 crating mechanism therefor, an electrical evice for controlling said mechanism, a signal device, circuits for said electrical and signal devices, a car motor controller, contacts arranged in both said circuits and adapted to be closed only when the car motor controller is in off sition, and electrical devices also arrange in the signal circuit for retaining the car motor controller in off osition.

26. e combination of a railroad car, a car motor switch, a door, means for retaining the switch in open position, said retaining means being releaser only when the door is opened.

27. The combination of a raihoad car, a car motor controller, a door, means for retaining the door in closed position and means for releasing said retaining means only when the car motor controller is in off position.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 14th day of September A. D. 1906.

HAROLD ROVVN TREE.

Witnesses:

L. M. SHIELDS, J. G. MITCHELL. 

